I would get a little palm sander and soften up the edges and then paint. Leave the runner for 2-3 weeks.

Look at your paint job for a while. If you CAN'T stand it, then you know this is beyond your skill set. At that point I would go for full carpet and save up for the NICE looking runner for a later date.

Thank you for your comment. I definitely need to do a runner because I have 4 kids. If you zoom in on the pic you can see there are horrible seams and the landing and outer pieces of the steps are like OSB or plywood. That's why I want to cut those pieces out. I just don't know if this is do-able and I need to have the bullnose done.

I normally allow 4-5" of wood on the sides of the runner. It is safer, due to catching the edge or walking on uneven flooring can be a challenge. The bottom can angle out id you watch your pattern/texture.

I like wider!

And to let you know, stairs are SUPER touchy. They have 15+ code requirements that you MUST FOLLOW! Nope. Not kidding. It is the homeowner's personal responsibility (especially DIY) to ensure any upgrades or changes to the house/stairs MEET CODE. As SOON as you cut out the treads and put something new in, you run the risk of kicking your stairs out of code. Now let's zoom forward when an older relative trips down the stairs and ends up with a broken hip. That's when you discover your homeowner insurance doesn't cover falls due to stairs being out of code. Now you owe your older relative $85K for the hospital stay, surgery and rehab.

Yah...I know it sounds 'way out there'....I get it. Statistically this is very low...but it is there (and 'they' say I would never use my Stats courses!). And it happens every year....to someone.

If you can't do the work yourself and you cannot afford the proper professional then I HIGHLY recommend you go with carpet over the stairs and save up for the $200+ per tread cost (and a $500 - $1000 for the landing) to upgrade your stairs.

Gwenn:

While I appreciate your positive attitude, I can tell from the nature of your questions that you're really getting in over your head.

SJ McCarthy,

Thank you for your opinion. As a former stats teacher, I appreciate your example. I will have to mull all this over.

Gwenn:

Look at your baseboard where it meets the treads please. Everyone who worked on your stairs knew they were getting carpet and bid the job accordingly. They did nothing wrong, but a carpeted stair does not get the time and materials a finished stair does.

You are attempting to redo this and you have to think comprehensively. The base must be redone if the treads are. That's a lot of expensive work for a talented stair builder or an advanced DIYer with tools.

Hope that helps with your mulling.

Those stairs were not meant to be without carpet so IMO just recarpet in a good tough carpet and move on .

Ok... so an update for anyone who cares: I have consulted with some professionals and their ideas are as follows:

Plan A (I'm very skeptical about this one)

Sand, condition and apply "a special product that allows me to use a gel stain to make the wood look like good wood." This would leave all of the crappy wood there. Please note the OSB in the corner of the two bottom steps. The guy also said he could sand the existing plywood to have a bullnose.

Plan B

Install hardwoods on the landing and replace the bottom treads with 3 pieces each mitering at the corners and filling where necessary. He would remove the existing platform on the landing and use a 1/2" plywood subfloor so that the step isn't too high.

Plan C

Remove the existing platform and bottom stairs, replace with a 3/4" oak veneer plywood and use a hardwood bullnose on the front. Do this on the landing and the steps. Use 1/4" refacing on the risers. Use a gel stain.

I'm leaning toward Plan C, but would love some feedback if you have any.

A won't work, nor will anything that involves gel stain. If you want this to look like a real staircase do it right- remove the two bottom steps and landing, install new oak steps on the bottom two steps and an oak nosing with oak strip flooring for the landing. Address the skirt at the same time. This is something you (and all your guests and a future buyer) will see as soon as they enter your home, you will regret not doing it correctly.

Gwen, I know this has been tough. Have them test a small area, my feeling is that any stain is going to pull the plywood pattern stronger and not give it a more classic look. If you are looking to have wood you will need to replace the stairs or add a border in wood with the carpet inset. you will need a very good craftsman to get the riser (step height correct for code and comfort. good luck!